Preservation Site Assessment for Tucson Museum of Art Research Library

FAIN: PG-50164-07

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, Inc. (Tucson, AZ 85701-8218)
Jill Provan (Project Director: May 2006 to July 2008)

A general preservation assessment, a staff training workshop, and the purchase of preservation supplies for books, catalogs, pamphlets, guides, and lithographs and photogravure portfolios related to archaeological excavations of pre-Columbian sites in South and Central America.

The Tucson Museum of Art Research Library collection is a widely-used community resource that is deteriorating and in need of preservation. The museum's collection was uploaded to the Tucson-Pima Public Libraries catalog in February 2005 and patronage has more than doubled. If these materials are to remain accessible, preservation concerns must be addressed. The museum is committed to caring for its collections, and protection of its rare books, papers, and slides is the next step. Many of these priceless materials are in fragile condition. Of special concern is the pre-Colombian, Spanish Colonial, and Latin American art book collection. Not only do these rare books need preservation, but so do the archives of the museum's El Presidio Historic Block, letters of prominent artists, and 50,000 slides.